Follow-up
Antiarrythmic medications were continued based on medical criteria. We
considered a blanking period of 3 months after the ablation procedure
during which the arrhythmia recurrences were not judged as ablation
failure. All patients underwent ambulatory medical control visits after
6 and after 12 months of the ablation procedure. At each time, a 12-lead
ECG and 24-hour holter ECG were recorded. If patients presented symptoms
earlier, they underwent additional 12-lead ECG and 24 hour holter ECG.
We considered arrhythmic recurrence at least one episode of sustained AF
or atrial flutter (>30 seconds) recorded on a surface
12-lead ECG or holter ECG.